Green Goal for Cape Town

Cape Town City kicked-off its Green Goal 2010 Action Plan on 17 October 2008. The programme is intended to ‘contribute to raising awareness, minimising waste, diversifying and using energy efficiently, consuming water sparingly, compensating for the event’s carbon footprint, practicing responsible tourism, and constructing infrastructure with future generations in mind.’

Cape Town with Green Point Stadium in the foreground. Photo: City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town will use the unique opportunity that the World Cup presents to ‘demonstrate to the world its commitment to responsible environmental management, whilst improving the living environment and livelihoods of its people. It is also an opportunity to sensitise the local and international football community and fans to environmental issues.’

An integral part of the Green Goal initiative includes water conservation; it’s objective to ‘minimise the use of potable water and promote conservation of water resources’. ‘The aim is to reduce water consumption, specifically potable (drinking) and groundwater, through the use of efficient fixtures, controlled irrigation and public awareness.’

‘The use of rainwater and grey water is encouraged wherever possible, as well as the protection of water resources through the use of environmentally friendly products to clean stadia and maintain pitches. In creating new construction surfaces, the use of permeable materials for pitches and walkways has also been promoted.’

All of the greening initiatives include concerns for future-event environmental, social and economic impacts on the immediate and extended environment.